Warriors' Intertrust Super Premiership season ends in playoff loss

Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad in action for the Warriors' Intertrust Super Premiership side. Photo / Photosport

The Warriors Intrust Super Premiership side's season came to an end with a 22-18 elimination semi-final loss to Newtown at Penrith's Pepper Stadium last night.

Two late tries to Warriors right wing Henare Wells and fullback Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad saw the Stacey Jones-coached side fight back from 22-8 to come within four-points with three minutes remaining but the Jets clung on to seal a place in next weekend's grand final qualifier against the Illawarra Cutters.

The Warriors opened the scoring in the fifth minute with Nathaniel Roache diving over from dummyhalf on the back of a strong run from uncompromising front-rower James Gavet, before Newtown hit back with two tries going to five-eighth Josh Cleeland and wing Corin Smith to claim an 8-4 lead.

The Warriors drew level just before halftime when the Jets failed to clean up an attacking kick and allowed the ball to go through five pairs of hands before Mason Lino's pin-point cross-field kick found wing Henare Wells to score just inside the right touchline.

But Newtown began the second-half strongly and two quick tries to captain Matt McIlwrick and front-rower Kurt Kara were converted by playmaker Fa'amanu Brown and a penalty goal provided a 14-point advantage.

However, a handling error gave the Warriors an opportunity and from the scrum win, Lino's audacious first-tackle kick found Wells for his second to reduce the margin to 10.

Wells then made the break down the left side before offloading a pass for Nicoll-Klokstad to score the Warriors fourth with Lino's conversion ensuring a tight finish but that was as close as they came.

Newtown Jets 22 (Josh Cleeland, Corin Smith, Matt McIlwrick, Kurt Kara tries, Fa'amanu Brown 2 cons, one pen)

Warriors 18 (Nathaniel Roache, Henare Wells 2, Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad tries, Mason Lino con)